the veritie of Gods Prophesies is thereby to be seene First in respect of the persons of Marie and Christe Isay 7.14 Matth. 1.23 Secondly of the time when the scepter should departe from Iuda Gene. 49.10 Mat. 2.1 Thirdly of the place in Bethelem Micah 5.2 Math. 2.6 Question What learne you out of the fourth article he suffred vnder Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried he descended into hell Answere First vnder whome he was iudged to death vz. vnder that feareful and false iudge Pontius Pilate to deliuer vs from that feareful iust and eternall iudgement of God his father Mat. 26. and 27. Secondly the great sufferings that Christ suffred both in body soule namely in body he was crucified killed dead and buried and in his soule and bodie in the garden and vppon the crosse he suffred the torments of hel Matth. 26.46 Heb 9.25.26 1. Pet. 3.18 Thirdly the endes why hee suffered these things That was to make a sufficient sacrifice and a ful satisfaction for al our sinnes thereby to auoide the horrible punishment due vnto vs. 1. Pet. 3.18 Gal. 3.13 14. Fourthly to fulfill all prophesies and promises sacrifices and figures of his death and our saluation Gen. 3.15 Esay 33. the whole Iohn 19.30 Question Now let vs come vnto the second point of Christs exhaltation in glorie and excellencie in perfection What learne you in the sixt article the third day he rose againe from the dead Answere First that Christ did rise out of the graue with the same body on the third day according to his owne Prophesies and the figure of Ionas Matth. 12.39 and 16.21 Secondly by the power of his resurrection he sheweth vnto vs that hee hath ouercome the power of the diuell sinne death and hell Mat. 18.4 5. 1. Pet. 3.21 22. Heb. 2.14 15. Thirdly that hee hath purchased for vs righteousnes vnto iustification to eternall life Rom. 4.25 1. Pet. 1.3 Fourthly by the vertue of his death he causeth sinne to die in vs and by the vertue of his resurrection hee causeth vs to rise vnto newnes of life Rom. 6.4 5. 1. Pet. 4.1 2. Fifthly his rising is an assured pledge that our bodies shall rise againe to immortalitie 1. Cor. 15.12 16. Question What is the imputation of righteousnes Answere It is an accounting of Christs righteousenes to bee our owne thorough faith whereby we are presented both iust and blameles before God both his and our father Phil. 3.9 10. 2. Cor. 5.27 Question What learne you in the sixth article he ascended into Heauen and sitteth at the right hand of God Answere First that he is ascended into Heauen from out of this earth in his manhoode according to the Prophesies of his assention Psalm 65.19 Acts. 1.9 10 11. Ephe. 4.8 Secondly his ascension is a pledge that we shall likewise ascende after him for he assended to prepare a place of glorie for his people Iohn 14.3 Ephe. 2.6 Thirdly he is ascended to make intercession for vs to God his father Rom. 8.38 He. 7.24 25 26 27. Fourthly that all power is giuen vnto him and how he is of equall authoritie with God his father Matth. 8.18 Ephe. 1.20 First to enrich his Church and to defende her against the gates of hell Ephe. 4.7 8. Secondly to punish the wicked to destruction 1. Cor. 15.24 to 29. Question What learne you in the seauenth article from thence hee shall come to iudge the quicke and the dead Answere First that there is a day appointed for the iudgement of the quicke and dead according to the Prophecies of the worde of God but when this ioyfull and fearefull day shall be the verie Angels doo not knowe neither yet the sonne of man Actes 17.31 Marke 13.32 Iohn 5.27 28 29. Secondly who is the iudge that must iustifie the godly and iudge the wicked namely Iesus Christ Actes 10.42 2. Corinth 5.10 Thirdly it ministreth to the godlie First this comfort that their sauiour and elder brother is their iudge to iustifie them and at that day shall deliuer them from all sinne feare of death hell and diuell and all other miseries Rom. a8 33.34 Luke 21.28 Secondly that to the great terror of the godlesse who feare not God nor loue either Christ or his Gospell he shall bee their iudge to their fearefull and iust destruction 2. Thes 1.6 7 8 9. Reuel 6.12 to 17. The end of the second part ¶ The third parte of the Catechisme Question NOw let vs come vnto the third parte of our Catechisme and shewe mee what is the same Answere Our sanctification Question What is sanctification Answere It is a setting free at libertie from the power of sinne vnto the freedome of righteousenes that therein his people might walke continuallie receiuing from Christ their daily strength Iohn 8. Rom. 6. Phil. 3. Question Where shall wee finde the same deliuered at large vnto vs Answere In the third parte of the articles of our faith Question Into how many partes shall wee diuide this point Answere Into three as First who sanctifieth that is the Holie Ghost as in the 8. article appeareth Secondly whom he sanctifieth vz. his Church and the meanes whereby he sanctifieth it as in the 9. article Thirdly of the spiritual benefites and graces that belongeth to the Church onely in the 10 11 and 12 articles Question Which is the first Article of the 3. part of the Articles of our faith Answere This I beleeue in the holy Ghost Question What learne you out of the same Answere First that the holie Ghost is God proceeding from the Father and the Sonne the thirde person in Trinitie and nothing inferiour to the Father nor the Sonne either in substaunce or glorie but of the same substance and glory with them Matth. 28.19 Acts. 5.3 4. Secondly it is he that instructeth sanctifieth comforteth and confirmeth the elect in the trueth of the promises of the Gospell of Christ vnto saluation and euerlasting life Eph. 1.13 Tit. 3.4 5 6. 2. cor 1.21 22. Thirdly the holy Ghost executeth the great prouidence of God ouer all his creatures whereby they continue in their estate ordereth the euent and successe of things that nothing commeth to passe by chance or any way els but by his disposition apointmēt Gene. 1.2 Psal 145.7 to 11. Fourthly that the sinne against the holie Ghost shal not be forgiuen in this life nor in the life to come Matth. 12.31 32. Heb. 6.4 5 6 7 8. Question Whom doth the holie Ghost sanctifie comfort and confirme Answere All the people of God in Christ who are called the Church of God spouse of Christ Ephe. 5.26 27. 1. cor 1.2 Question Rehearse the Article Answere I beleeue that there is a catholique Church a communion of Saints Question What is the Church of God Answere It is all the elect of what sexe and estate soeuer which haue been are and shall be vnto the endes of the world which are called by the onely working of the holie
to bee the sole Sauior of mankinde Matt. 1.21 Fourthly in stéed of heauen euerlasting life they by their good intents and workes doo purchase hell and euerlasting death Ioh. 3.17 36. Question What vse ought we to make of this point Answere First to note how miserable we were of our selues after our fall as First in sinne Psal 51.5 Ier. 17.2 Secondly vnder the wrath of God eph 2.3 Thirdly captiues to the diuell eph 2.2 Fourthly inheritors of hell eternal death Rom. 6.23 Secondly the great and rich mercie of God First in giuing vs a Sauiour that might redeeme vs from sinne satan and hell Eph. 2.4 5. Tit. 3.4 5. Secondly in seeking to reconcile vs to him selfe and to make vs his children righteous 2. cor 5.18 19 20 21. Thirdly in giuing vs thereby euerlasting life and eternall happinesse Ioh. 5.24 Question Seeing we are now redeemed in Christ are we now therfore in a better and more happier estate vnder Christ our head than Adam was in his innocencie in Paradice Answere Yea surely the estate of Gods children is now more excellent Question Why so Answere First because wee haue an excellent head to wit Christ which Adam had not in the time of his innocēcie before his fal Eph. 1.22 col 1.18 Secondly God is more néerer ioyned vnto vs than he was vnto Adam at that time for he hath taken vpon himself since Adams fal our humane nature and ioyned the same to his diuine nature and is become one with vs sinne excepted Ephe. 5.30 Heb. 2.16 1. Pet. 2.23 1. Ioh. 3.5 Thirdly our saluation is more certain thā it was vnder Adam for then we had no power to stand in the perfection of our creation but now in Christ it is most certaine and firme because it is grounded First vpon the euerlasting vnchangable decrée and purpose of God Ephes 1. 11.2 Tim. 2.19 Secondly vppon the euerlasting mercies of God in Christ 2. Tim. 1.9 Thirdly vpon his faithfulnesse truth and righteousnes 1. cor 1.9 1. thes 5.24 Fourthly vpon his inuincible power omnipotencie Iohn 10.27 28 29. Fourthly God doth not onely giue vs heauen which Adam should haue had in his innocencie but also maketh vs heirs yea ioint heires with Christ in glorie the which Adam should neuer haue had if he had stoode in his innocencie so that wee maie see our estate farre better than Adams in Paradice Rom. 8.17 Question And is not man made more excellent than the Angels in heauen Answere Yes verely for First Christ tooke vpon him our nature and exalted it aboue all principalities powers and Dominions Eph. 1.20 21 22. Secondly man is made the Lord and ruler of the whole world that through grace in Christ which rule and lorldlie authoritie was neuer giuen vnto the Angels Psalm 8. the whole Thirdly the Angels by the free mercies of God are made the seruants of the faithfull to defend and comfort them for they are the ministring spirits sent foorth to minister for their sakes that shall be heires to saluation psal 34.7 Heb. 1.14 Question In that thou saist that man is restored to a better estate than Adam in his first innocencie in Paradice is become more excellent than Angels is thy meaning of all mankinde of all persons generally Answere No surelie but onely of the faithfull who are grafted into the bodie of Christ by the holy ghost as for infidels hipocrites heretikes libertines and atheists their estate is no better than the diuels in hell in shame and confusion for euer and euer Reuel 21.28 Eph. 5.5 Question Why died not Christ for all men as well as for a certaine number Answere No Christ died not for all for if Christ died for all then First there is no election 2. Tim. 3.19 Secondly God should be then vniust to condemne anie Rom. 3 4. psal 51.4 Thirdly al haue not faith 2. the .3.2 tit 1.1 Fourthly the spirit of Christ belongeth onely to the faithfull Rom. 8.9 10. Question Was there anie imperfection in the sacrifice of Christ in that it was not sufficient for all Answere There was no imperfection in the sacrifice of Christs bodie and soule for he was perfect and holy also it was sufficient for all people but effectual onely vnto those which lay hold on him through faith he 10.10 12 14. 9.25 26 28. Question The Scripture saith God would haue al men come to the knoledge of the truth be saued Answere The word all must be considered after this manner that First hee offereth grace vnto all but all receiue not the same Secondly that word must bee vnderstood some of all Nations Thirdly some of all callings as First Princes Secondly subiects Thirdly parents Fourthly children Fiftly masters Sixthly seruants Seuenthly men Eightly women Some of all which euen those that lay hold vpon Christ by a liuely true faith shall be saued and liue 1. Iohn 5.10 11 12 13. Fourthly we must consider that his reueled will is equally ruled by his secret wil and that they be not contrarie the one to the other although they seeme so to our foolish iudgements Fifthly that God is stable and vnchangeable in all his waies and workes Iam. 1 17. Question What moued God to saue some damne other some In that he saueth some is it for that they deserue the same or did he foresee that they would both beleeue and worke out their saluation Answere His owne mercie is the cause that he saueth some out of the sinfull lumpe of Adam for First all deserued damnation for the best worke after regeneration is defiled with sin and the reward of sinne is death how much more then deserue we death before God doth regenerate vs by his spirit 1. cor 13.9 Ro. 7.24 Secōdly faith is the only gift of god eph 2.8 Thirdly we cannot work wel before God regenerate vs vnto good works eph 2.9.10 Fourthly in that he dampneth other some it is of right and according to his righteous iudgements for that it is written if you do this you shall liue if you do not yee shall die Question How shall we bee perswaded of our saluation in Christ Answere Thorough faith Gal. 3.11 Gal. 2.16 Rom. 3.27 28. Question What is faith Answere A firme perswasion grounded vpon a sounde knowledge in sacred Scriptures that God is reconciled and become both our God and father thorough the merits obedience and bloudshedding of Iesus Christ in whome wee shall be saued and haue eternal life so assuredly as though wee possessed the same already which faith is wrought by the holy Ghost in the hearts of the elect thorough the ministerie and preaching of the word Rom. 5.1 2. Rom. 8.38 39. and 3.24 Ephe. 3.17 Ephe. 1.13 1. Ioh. 3.1 2 3. Question Then our faith must not bee wauering but firme in Christ and his promises Answere It must be firme and not wauering as Saint Iames teacheth for note this that not he which doubteth shall be saued but
hee that beleeueth and is rooted and grounded in the same faith Col. 1.23 and 2.7 Iohn 3.16 Question Where shall we finde this our redeemer and redemption deliuered vnto vs more fullie Answere In the second parte of the articles of our faith which are sixe in number Question Into how many partes may they be diuided Answere Two that is First of the base estate of Christs birth and his humilitie in suffring which the three first articles sheweth Secondly of his exaltation and excellencie in all perfection and glorie in the other three articles The ende of the first parte of the Creede ¶ The second parte of the Creede Question REherse the first article of the second parte of Creede Answere And in Iesus Christ his onely Sonne our Lord which was conceiued by the holy Ghost Question Of how many partes dooth it consist Answere Of fourth That is First Iesus Secondly Christ Thirdly onely sonne Fourthly Lord. Question What dooth this word Iesus signifie Answere A Sauiour Math. 1.21 Question Whome dooth he saue Answere His people Matth. 1.21 Question How dooth he saue them Answere By the sacrifice of himself Heb. 10.10 29 20. Question What is the propiciatorie sacrifice Answere Iesus Christ is the propiciatorie sacrifice for he as the onely good high priest did once giue himselfe for his that repent and beleeue that the wrath of God his father might be appeased and that his people might be both sanctified and saued in him euermore Heb. 7.26 27. 1. Thes 1.10 2. Cor. 5.20 21. Question Who are his people Answere All those that haue his spirite and doo beleeue in him Iohn 1.12 13. Romans 8.9 Iohn 10.26.27 Question From what hath he saued them Answere From sinne sathan death and hell Titu 2.14 Heb. 2.14 1. Iohn 3.8 Question Why The very elect doo sinne continuallie Answere Yea but sinne shall not raigne ouer them much lesse damne them Roma 6.3 4 5 6 11 12 13 14. 1. Ioh. 3.5 6. Question Also wee see how sathan dooth afflict the godlie Answere Although sathan by the permission and will of God dooth afflict the godlie both to try their faith and exercise their patience yet he cannot hold them in captiuitie to deuoure them Ephe. 4.8 Heb. 2.14 15. Matth. 16.18 1. Ioh. 3.8 Question Also the godlie doo die continuallie Answere Although they die yet death is made to them the gate of immortallitie and they are deliuered from eternall death for which cause Christ especiallie died Heb. 9.27 28. Iohn 5.24 2. Cor. 5.1 to 12. 1 Thes 4.15 to the end Question The elect people are also troubled in conscience with the torments of hell oftentimes Answere But those torments are not their eternal portion for a time they suffer that therby they may know both Christ themselues Psa 34.18 20. Esa 54.7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14. 1. Cor. 10.13 Heb. 12.5 to 24. Reu. 3.19.20 Question Why is he called Christ Answere Because he was anoynted of his father Psal 49.6 7. Heb. 1.9 Question What was his annointment Answere The fulnes of his Godhead Col. 1.19 and 2.3.9 Iohn 3.34 Question What parte was anointed Answere Not his deuine but humaine nature Iohn 3 34. Heb. 1.9 Question Why was he anointed Answere To be our prophet priest king Re. 19.16 Psa 2.6 De. 18.15 Act. 37. Psa 110. He. 55. Question How is he our Prophet Answere First in that he spake by his spirit in the Prophets 1. Pet. 1.10 11 12. 2. Pet. 1.21 Secondly in that he hath fulfilled all Prophecies and promises that were foreshewed of him 2. Cor. 1.20 Matth. 5.17 Thirdly because he hath reuealed the wil of his father vnto vs. Iohn 18. Question How is he our priest Answere First in that he offered a sacrifice for vs his people Heb. 9.25 25 and 10.10.12 Secondly in that hee doth cōtinually teach vs his people by his word and spirit Ioh. 15.26 Iohn 14.26 Thirdly in that he maketh continuall intercessiō vnto his father for vs. ro 2.34 he 7.25 Question How a King Answere First in that he hath cōquered sin satan death hel 1. cor 15.54 to 57. he 2.14.15 1. Iho. 3.8 Secondly in that he maketh his subiects cōquerors ouer sinne sathan death and hell Col. 1.12 13. 1. Cor. 15.54 to 57. Thirdly in that hee ruleth and gouerneth his people by his lawes Psalm 2.10 11 12. Ioh. 10.27 28. Fourthly in that he will giue his people a spirituall and eternall kingdome 1. Pet. 5.10 11. Reuel 1.5 Reuel 22.1 2 3 4. Question How is he the onely sonne of God Answere By nature of the substance of his father from euerlasting Iohn 1. Question Why We are the sonnes of God also Answere It is true but it is by adoption thorough the grace of God in Christ Rom. 8.15 16. Ga. 4.4 5 6. Question What is adoption Answere This that God adopteth vnto himselfe his elect not for that he had not another sonne for he had his only begotten sonne Christ in whom he was well pleased but for that in all the nature of man he had yet no children for in Adam wee were all become the children of the diuell and the vessels of Gods wrath wherefore God sent his naturall and legittimate Sonne Christ into the World that thorough his rich grace hee might adopte vnto himselfe many children out of our kinde Matth. 3.17 Rom. 8.15 16. Gal. 4.4 5 6. Question What is grace Answere The free fauour of God not only pardoning the sinnes of his elect children but also in cladding them with innocencie and righteousnes of Christ to their euerlasting iustifications Rom. 3.24 1. Cor. 5.2 Titu 2.11.14 Question What gather you by this word Lord Answere First how Christ hath brought his people with a precious price that is with his death and bloud 1. Cor. 6.20 and 7.23 Secondly how he will deliuer and defende his people from the power of sinne sathan eternall death and hell Matth. 16.18 Thirdly how his people must yeeld obedience to him and his lawes Act. 3.23 1. pe 5.14 15. Fourthly how he is God and Lord of the whole world Iohn 1.1 2 3 4 5 c. Question What learne you in the third article which was conceaued by the holy Ghost borne of the Virgin Mary Answere First that hee is verie man of the flesh of the Virgin his mother Matth. 1.21 22. Luke 1.31 32. Rom. 4.3 4. Secondly that his birth was pure and frée from all infection of sinne and the corruption of nature in that he was not conceiued after the common manner of men but by the power and mightie operation of the holy Ghost Luke 1.35 Iohn 17.19 Thirdly that hee was conceiued in the wombe of the virgin by the holy Ghost onely because he might be First an vndefiled priest Heb. 7.26 27. Secondly a pure sacrifice for the redemption of his people Heb. 10.10 1. Pet. 1.19.20 Thirdly that he might sanctifie his people in all holines Iohn 17.19 1. Pet. 2.22 c. 1. Iohn 3.2 Fourthly